England team are right behind Strauss in Pietersen affair, insists Anderson

Jimmy Anderson says the England team are totally behind Andrew Strauss and will be led by him on the best way to solve the Kevin Pietersen crisis.

The broken relationship between Pietersen and senior players is at the heart of the dispute which has led to the exile of England's marquee star but Anderson, an influential dressing-room figure, insists the players will do what their captain thinks best.

‘The biggest thing is Straussy’s relationship with him,’ said Anderson. ‘That seems to have been what has come under fire. Straussy has got so much respect as captain and we all support his decisions. We will back him to the hilt whatever he and the ECB decide to do.’

Plenty to ponder: England captain Andrew Strauss (centre)

There has been some concern that a powerful England dressing room may have played a part, however small, in making Pietersen’s position within it untenable. Anderson accepts that more might have been done.

‘There are two sides to every story and maybe we could have done more,’ he said. ‘It is out of our hands. It has been an unwanted and unnecessary sideshow but we can’t say it had an impact in us losing to South Africa.’

Exile: Kevin Pietersen in action for Surrey

Anderson is convinced Strauss will carry on and lead England in their attempt to reclaim the Test crown.

‘Straussy has been pivotal in everything we have achieved,’ said Anderson. ‘More even than people realise. We hope he carries on for a few years.

‘I don’t think he is considering calling it a day. He still loves being in the dressing room and on the field.’

The biggest disappointment for England in their 2-0 defeat is that their bowling was so inferior to South Africa’s.

‘This is a huge wake-up call for this attack,’ said Anderson. ‘We have been outbowled in this series and we have a lot of work to do.’